Reel apparatus with decorative housing

Abstract

A reel includes a substantially spherical housing configured to enclose a rotatable reel drum and an aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture. The linear material is spoolable and unspoolable from the reel drum while the housing encloses the reel drum. The housing includes decoration depicting a ball indicative of a game or type of recreation, a globe, a robot, a gazing ball, at least one flag, camouflage, foliage, diamond plate, or a race car.

1. A reel comprising:
 a substantially spherical housing supported by, and mechanically coupled to, a support structure and configured to enclose a rotatable element about which linear materials can be spooled; 
 an aperture within the housing, the aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture, the linear material spoolable and unspoolable from the rotatable element while the housing encloses the rotatable element, wherein said housing comprises decoration depicting a ball indicative of a game or type of recreation; 
 wherein the support structure is configured to support the reel housing on a support surface during rotation of the element to unspool the linear material; 
 wherein the support structure is mechanically coupled to a plurality of base members; and 
 wherein the base members comprise one or more of feet, wheels, and casters. 
 
     
     
       2. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a basketball. 
     
     
       3. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a baseball. 
     
     
       4. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a golf ball. 
     
     
       5. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a soccer ball. 
     
     
       6. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a tennis ball. 
     
     
       7. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a volleyball. 
     
     
       8. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the decoration depicts a beach ball. 
     
     
       9. The reel of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one leg. 
     
     
       10. A reel comprising:
 a substantially spherical housing supported by, and mechanically coupled to, a support structure and configured to enclose a rotatable element about which linear materials can be spooled; 
 an aperture within the housing, the aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture, the linear material spoolable and unspoolable from the rotatable element while the housing encloses the rotatable element, wherein said housing comprises decoration depicting a globe; 
 wherein the support structure is configured to support the reel housing on a support surface during rotation of the element to unspool the linear material; 
 wherein the support structure is mechanically coupled to a plurality of base members; and 
 wherein the base members comprise one or more of feet, wheels, and casters. 
 
     
     
       11. The reel of  claim 10 , wherein the globe depicts Earth. 
     
     
       12. The reel of  claim 10 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one leg. 
     
     
       13. A reel comprising:
 a substantially spherical housing supported by, and mechanically coupled to, a support structure and configured to enclose a rotatable element about which linear materials can be spooled; 
 an aperture within the housing, the aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture, the linear material spoolable and unspoolable from the rotatable element while the housing encloses the rotatable element, wherein said housing comprises decoration depicting camouflage; 
 wherein the support structure is configured to support the reel housing on a support surface during rotation of the element to unspool the linear material; 
 wherein the support structure is mechanically coupled to a plurality of base members; and 
 wherein the base members comprise one or more of feet, wheels, and casters. 
 
     
     
       14. The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the camouflage comprises woodland camouflage. 
     
     
       15. The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the camouflage comprises desert camouflage. 
     
     
       16. The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the camouflage comprises a micropattern. 
     
     
       17. The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the camouflage further comprises hunting indicia. 
     
     
       18. The reel of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one leg. 
     
     
       19. A reel comprising:
 a substantially spherical housing supported by, and mechanically coupled to, a support structure and configured to enclose a rotatable element about which linear materials can be spooled; 
 an aperture within the housing, the aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture, the linear material spoolable and unspoolable from the rotatable element while the housing encloses the rotatable element, wherein said housing comprises decoration depicting foliage; 
 wherein the support structure is configured to support the reel housing on a support surface during rotation of the element to unspool the linear material; 
 wherein the support structure is mechanically coupled to a plurality of base members; and 
 wherein the base members comprise one or more of feet, wheels, and casters. 
 
     
     
       20. The reel of  claim 19 , wherein the foliage comprises a plurality of leaves. 
     
     
       21. The reel of  claim 19 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one leg.